Britain is packed full brilliant outdoor spaces, from beaches and forests to hills and mountains. While the allure of sunny beaches in Europe or further afield might be appealing, there is plenty closer to home to keep you entertained.

Here we explore some of the UK’s best outdoor areas to see exactly why they’re as popular as they are…

1) The Lake District

Millions of people visit the lush greenness of the Lake District every year, with its lakes and fells renowned the world over for their beauty. There’s enough to keep you entertained too, as the region is home to the highest concentration of outdoor activity centres of anywhere in the UK.

England’s highest land, including the tallest mountain Scafell Pike, can be found within the Lake District National Park, as can the two deepest and longest bodies of water – namely Wastwater and Lake Windermere.

2) The New Forest

Once William the Conqueror’s hunting grounds, the New Forest represents a living remnant of what life was like in medieval England. Its oak forests, heathland, and unenclosed pasture are home to a range of free-roaming wildlife, including the indigenous New Forest Pony.

3) Brecon Beacons

 

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A unique piece of Wales that is known for its beauty and prominent hilltops; it isn’t just the SAS that have a soft spot for Brecon Beacons. It’s popular with walkers, sports enthusiasts and the general public, many of whom flock to see the natural beauty if a landscape forged by glacial activity in the last Ice Age.

Numerous gorges, valleys, waterfalls and caves all over some stunning scenery to get lost in, especially when the sun is out.

4) Snowdonia
 

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The mountain ranges of Snowdonia, along with its lakes, river gorges, waterfalls and striking coastline are impressive all year round, while Mount Snowdon provides a challenge for those looking to go hiking.

Alternatively, the Snowdon Mountain Railway also provides an enjoyable route up to the summit – without the need to expand too much effort.

5) The Cairngorms


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Britain’s most dramatic mountainous landscape offers spectacular views as well as the largest area of native woodland in the country. While some of it might be very isolated indeed, the opportunities to see Golden eagles, Osprey and Falcons as well as deer, mountain hares and red squirrels are too good to pass up.

Regardless of whether it’s winter or summer, it’s an environment to be explored and enjoyed.

6) The Broads
 

If you love boats then you’ll love the Broads (generally known as the Norfolk Broads although that isn’t quite factually accurate as they cover part of Suffolk too). Much of the landscape is manmade as the Broads were harvested for peat in the medieval period and then flooded when sea levels rose in the 14th century, leaving the lakes and rivers of today.

There’s around 125 miles of waterways to enjoy and most are less than 15 feet deep. The reeds, marshland and woodland are also home to around a quarter of Britain’s rarest species, so keep your eyes peeled if you ever do visit.

7) Pembrokeshire


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The Pembrokeshire Coast – all 260 miles of it – is incredibly popular with walkers who are all keen to explore the wealth of creeks, bays, wooded valleys, lakes, coves and estuaries. It’s a region steeped in history too – did you now for example that Henry Tudor landed his forces in Pembrokeshire to defeat the army of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485? There’s also a number of Iron Age fortifications hidden back behind the beaches, just waiting to be explored.

For those keen on outdoor sports such kayaking, coasteering, climbing and surfing, the Marine Nature Reserve is ideally suited for their needs.

8) Peak District 
 

If you think of the British countryside in all its glory, then the Peak District is probably the stereotypical image that you think of. Home to the UK’s first National Park, the mix of woodland and moorland, as well stone walls and barns gives the area its distinctive feel.

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